It’s been a rough couple of days. New computer + cranky hip = no running OR blogging. But I’m online now, lets hope running will follow shortly. The pool running gig is getting old. On to more exciting things: The Chicago Marathon!
Blogger meetup: 3pm at the expo entrance. I know this is a late one and there are other earlier festivities but airport shuttle duty calls. No pressure if you can’t make it. If you can PLEASE stop by!
See the orange balloon? It’s now Mr. Pumpkin, my spectating date. He’s on a big stick so you can hopefully see me better (some say I’m vertically challenged). I won’t hesitate to nudge people out of the way with him in order to gain prime cheer position either.
So where will I be?
I’ll see you off at the start on the LEFT.
Then I’ll be at MILE 2 where you make your first right turn of the race onto Jackson, again on the LEFT.
Next I’ll be at the Lupus Charity tent at mile 14. It’s a purple tent on the RIGHT with a large purple butterfly. Don’t worry I’ll still be waving Mr. Pumpkin high. I may have some red velvet cupcakes in my possession, depending on the line at Sprinkles. Good Lord I hope crazy bloggers with Mr. Pumpkins get preferential line cutting privileges. Because the Lupus Charity Team rocks (I ran on this team in 2010 and I swear it was the only reason I finished despite a total meltdown) they’ve invited all of you to stop by. Kids, they’ve got goodies. Nuff said.
Last words: I ran this race in 2007 and 2010. It’s a great one. The city and it’s people totally embrace it and will embrace you. As a native Chicagoan, I am proud of that. The crowds (and their garden hoses) are what carried me thru the heat to the finish in 2007. Before you start, think back to the moment you decided to run this race and all the training that lead up to this moment: the sacrifice, extreme weather conditions, early training runs, aches pains, fatigue, injuries and doubt. Congratulate yourself at the start for overcoming all of that. This is the icing on the cake. Celebrate and enjoy it. Soak up the experience. Even if you live locally, the course takes you thru parts of Chi-town you may not be familiar with. Notice how the neighborhoods change as you pass through them. The sights, sounds and smells. Note where Sears (Willis)Tower is when you start, notice how far North you get, then how far South. Keep it in sight as you approach the finish in those last, tough miles. This is YOUR day. Enjoy it!
Have a great race everyone! I (and Mr. P) will be out there (freezing) cheering!
I’m looking forward to running Chicago next year and disappointed I won’t get down for any of it this weekend! Have a great time cheering.
I hope you have a great time spectating!! My husband and I want to run Chicago eventually 🙂
I will meet you at the expo! Ok you’ll be on the left. Good to know I always look on the right for everyone I think. lol
Have a great time spectating! I would advise people not to take in the smells too much… ha ha. The smell of bbq made me want to throw up when I ran it in 2010 LOL!
So exciting! So awesome you will be there to cheer everyone on:) Have fun!
So sorry about your crank hip. 🙁 Have a blast at the marathon! I’ve never volunteered for a race, but am thinking of signing up to help for the Houston half in a few weeks. Cheer everyone on for me!
The Chicago Marathon is on my list for next year! I hear that it’s going to become a lottery race like NY in 2014! Have you heard that?
Hope that hip comes around. My left hip has been cranky too! Mine came from running on an uneven surface for too many miles. Didn’t have too much of a choice though :/ and you’re right, pool jogging can get old, fast!
I hope I can keep those directions straight! Left, Left, Right! Got it!
I haven’t sacrificed much for this one, but I am excited to be there – no matter how slow it’s going to be, I’m going to try to have a great time. Can’t wait to see you and Mr. P. along the course. 🙂
xo
Surely you would have a great time.Have fun on your race!
I hope to run the Chicago Marathon in the next couple years. It would be nice to run into at one of these marathons or expos.
You’ll kick butt girlie! My friend Carmen is running it as her first and is from Chicago! Rooting for you guys~
You will be a fantastic spectator! Have fun and enjoy! Spa love!
I love Mr. Pumpkin, have a fantastic time!!
I love the last paragraph. So true. 🙂 Will you mail me a red velvet cupcake?
Enjoy spectating Chicago! Hope you are back out on the roads soon, injuries are awful. And pool running sucks. So boring.
I was supposed to do Chicago in 2011, but had to cancel due to injury. I’m not sure if I’ll ever do the race, maybe sometime in the future. I guess I’ve taken off all destination races from my list of races to do since they are a hassle. But who knows, we’ll see.
GOOOOOD LUCK! You’ll be in my neck of the woods! I LOVE IT! 😀
Have a super fun time being a spectator! Hope the blogger meetup is fun, love that!
Have fun!!
It sounds like you’ll be running your own race just getting from one stop to the next. Have fun!!
Sounds like you were going to have an awesome time spectating!!!! Can’t wait to find out how it all went. Sorry to hear about that cranky hip…I can soooo relate!